Putting the SnapSHOT in Shotput

During high school, many students participate in a wide variety of sports, and Moeller is no exception. We have big name sports like basketball and football, while also having some more obscure ones like swimming and bowling. However, one major sport that falls under the radar is track and field.

While everyone may think track and field is solely about running and jumping, there are actually many different feats that occur within this sport. Some of these include throwing javelin, discus, and most importantly, the shot put. 

The shot put is a 12-pound ball that, by using advanced techniques, is sent soaring through the air in order to cover the most distance. While in the outdoor spring season a metal ball is used, the indoor winter season uses a ball with a waxy exterior as to not hurt the floor. 

I met with four-year throwers Liam Huelsman and Eian Hall to discuss the intricacies of the shotput and had the privilege to both hold and throw the shot put on Moeller’s practice ground. 

There are two main methods to throwing the shot put: the glide and the spin. Liam Huelsman explains, “the glide is better for people like me because of my stature. For someone with a longer and skinnier physique, the spin would work better.” The glide starts by bending down on one knee with your dominant foot. Then, holding the ball right up against your neck with your dominant arm, lunge back with your other leg and swing your body around. You then release the shot and follow through it. According to Liam, some people fall forward after the throw, while others jump fully in the air. 

The other method, the spin, goes as follows: the thrower starts in a position similar to that of the glide, but has one key difference. You don’t hop into the throw; you simply swing your body and use your momentum to launch the shot put. You release the shot put at the end of the first full rotation and follow through with your arm. 

Over their years of throwing, these two students have achieved some insane personal bests. Liam Huelsman’s farthest is 43 feet 7 inches, while Eian Hall’s personal best is 45 feet 6 inches. On the results side of things, Liam got 5th of 33 participants at the OSU Buckeye Highschool Qualifier event on January 21st, while Eian got 15th at the same event. 

Both men hope to continue their shot-put career throughout college, working to crack their personal bests by throwing even farther.